SEND Mediator Training

SEND Mediator Training Course

Civil Mediation Council and College of Mediators Accredited

Becoming a SEND Mediator - Level 1 Training

This two-day specialist training programme is intended for those delegates that have already achieved Civil Mediation Council (CMC) or College of Mediators (CoM) accreditation as a Civil & Commercial mediator, and who wish to make the specialist area of SEND mediation part of their offering.

What does the training look like?

This two-day specialist training programme is approved by the Civil Mediation Council and College of Mediators and covers both the theoretical and practical elements required to be assessed regarding course engagement, successfully sit a multiple-choice exam and response of a situational scenario, for accreditation as a specialist SEND mediator.
Continuing Professional Development

This course attracts 12 hours CPD, and successful completion (engagement assessment, multiple choice exam and scenario response) will satisfy the requirements of the Civil Mediation Council for accreditation as a SEND mediator, once a period of supported practice is complete.
Previous Experience

There is no prerequisite for delegates to have had experience in either Education, SEND 0-25 roles or in SEND Law. It is essential however that delegates have a genuine interest in people and supporting all participants to achieve the right outcomes for children and young people.
Future Opportunities

Over 70% of all statutory SEND disagreements proceed to mediation or disagreement resolution. Once accredited, you will have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to chair some of the 7500+ mediations which take place annually.

Enhanced Supported Practice (ESP) - Level 2 Training*

After having successfully completed a specialised training programme and assessment/ exam, mediators are required to engage in a period of supported practice in order to reach accreditation.

This should consist of at least 16 hours of casework, and a further 3 hours of reflection on their practice. The supported practice allows newly trained mediators to take opportunities to observe and co-work with an experienced mediator on SEND mediation cases.

Delegates are free to complete their level 2 components independently of Collis Mediation Ltd, via a professional practice consultant or alternative organisation.

Once your level 2 training is complete (or equivalent with another organisation) and you have become a member of the CMC / CoM, you will be eligible for inclusion on the jointly held SEND mediator register.

Collis Mediation Ltd offers an Enhanced Supported Practice (ESP) which meets the full requirements of the CMC / CoM to enable addition to the SEND Mediator register.
*Access to the ESP is at the discretion of Collis Mediation Ltd.

ESP Program Components*

Enhanced Supported Practice (ESP)
Our Enhanced Supported Practice includes:

Casework- SENDCoP 2015- 4-hours
Case Preparation- 4-hours
Co-mediation- Live Cases - 8-hours
Reflective Practice with a Professional Practice Consultant (PCC)- 3-hours
Total 19-hours*

*Access to the ESP is at the discretion of Collis Mediation Ltd, who will review the final performance information, and at our discretion issue an Enhanced Supported Practice certificate indicating successful completion and competency attainment.

Why Choose Collis Mediation Ltd?

Collis Mediation Ltd are one of the country's leading independent, impartial and confidential SEND Mediation specialists, contracted by the government, to work with local authorities, parents, carer's and young people to help clarify, narrow down and resolve disagreements about the education of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Collis Mediation Ltd are one of the few approved training providers who are approved and listed on the Civil Mediation Council SEND Mediator register and currently carry out approx 20% of all SEND Mediation in the UK and able to offer a full enhanced period of support as part of your journey to full accreditation.

Lead Tutors

Dominic Collis, Managing Director of Collis Mediation Ltd and lead tutor, has the benefit of chairing in excess of 3000 mediations, which makes him one of the country’s most experienced SEND mediators and is a UK Registered Expert Witness in SEND. Collaborating with schools, academies, local authorities, parents, carer’s and young people on a daily basis, Dominic is considered a leading specialist in the statutory SEND framework.

He holds a Chartered Fellowship with the CMI, is a CMC approved Mediation Provider, a CMC approved SEND mediator trainer and a CMC mentor for new mediators. Dominic is on the Board of Directors of the CMC and the DfE steering group for SEND in the UK, whilst holding post-graduate qualifications in SEND Law, SEND Framework, Child Psychology, ADHD, ASC, Borderline Personality Disorder, Selective Mutism, Depravation of Liberty Safeguarding amongst others.

Nicola Cleaver comes to Mediation from a legal background having practiced Criminal Law for 11 years. Nicola has a wealth of experience involving young children as a result of her legal practice and is initiative-taking in promoting and harnessing the voice of the child in SEND mediation and Dispute Resolution.

Nicola has undertaken numerous training courses with the National Autistic Society and the NHS concentrating on Autistic Spectrum Disorder as well as Sensory Processing Deficiencies and Speech, Language & Communication. Methods.

Nicola is part of the Senior Leadership Team at Collis Mediation Ltd and is an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, a SEND Registered Mediator with the CMC & CoM and in demand trainer.

Course Details

Please find below, a brief overview of the learning modules contained within this programme.

Day 1

Types of SEND- General Overview
Language and Definition
Relevant Legislation
Role of Professionals
The Graduated Approach
Reasonable Adjustments
Education, Health and Care Plan's (EHCPs)
Preparing for Mediation
CYP Participation 'The Voice of the Child'
Power Imbalances in SEND Mediation

Day 2

Managing Multi-Party Meetings
Working with Advocates
Parental Responsibility
Authorisation to Settle in SEND
Agreement Writing in a SEND Context
SEND First-tier Tribunal
How a Mediation Provider Works
Local Offer
Self Reflection
De-brief

Successful Completion

‘Successful Completion’ is based on an Assessment of Course Engagement, successful completion of a Multiple-Choice Exam (70%) and a successful Situational Scenario Response

Learning Outcomes*

Learning SEND procedures and processes
Exploring Statutory Timescales and the Legal Framework in which they sit - Obtaining appropriate SEND skills, knowledge, and expertise
Understanding your responsibilities for the overall practice
Developing an impartial approach whilst empowering and supporting

*Collis Mediation Ltd will review the final performance information, and it is at our discretion to issue a SEND Mediator Training Course certificate indicating successful completion and competency attainment.

Course cost*

Level 1-
Two-day Accredited SEND Mediator Training Course £1450 + vat

Level 2-

Enhanced Supported Practice (ESP)* 19-hours enhanced supported practice £1950 + vat

*Access to the ESP is at the discretion of Collis Mediation Ltd, who will review the final performance information, and at the discretion of Collis Mediation Ltd, issue an Enhanced Supported Practice certificate indicating successful completion and competency attainment.

To complete CMC/ CoM inclusion of the Jointly held SEND Register the mediator will also be required to provide the CMC/ CoM with the following:

Form 4, signed by PPC / mentor / manager (on completion of the Level 2 ESP)
A write up of two cases by the mediator using forms 1, 2 and 3 from the CMC/ CoM Professional Standards for SEND Mediators**
Observations of the mediator leading in 2 cases by their PPC / mentor / manager using forms 1, 2 and 3 from the CMC/ CoM Professional Standards for SEND Mediators
Evidence of a Personal Development Plan
An assignment examining their knowledge of the legal context provided by the CMC/ CoM
A copy of their own, or the SMP’s, complaints policy
Details of their personal liability insurance
Certificates of completion of the foundation and SEND Mediation Courses

** The appealable matter for mediation should include a request for assessment, and also content of an EHCP. You can download a copy of CMC/ CoM Professional Standards for SEND Mediators below

Upcoming Course dates and locations

We have exciting courses planned in the next 12 months, if you are interested in participating, please contact us at info@collismediationltd.com to find out more about dates and locations of training.